Tag Archives: Girona

Girona

Michelin star restaurants in Catalonia

Posted on by
Reply

Michelin star restaurants in Catalonia have been at the forefront of gastronomic invention for decades.

El Celler de Can Roca Girona

One of the aperitifs from a recent visit to El Celler de Can Roca

There’s a very high concentration of Michelin star restaurants in Catalonia, perhaps more than any other place on Earth. Here is a list of the Michelin starred restaurants close to Girona and the Costa Brava. With a fantastic selection of fresh local produce at their disposal Catalan chefs have always led the way in Gastronomic innovation. Ferran Adria and his ground breaking restaurant El Bulli, is quite possibly the most famous chef in the world.

Bo-Tic Corca

Inventive dish from the restaurant Bo-Tic

 

A list of restaurants in Catalonia with Michelin stars

With three Michelin stars and recently voted the best restaurant in the world Girona’s very own El Celler de Can Roca leads the way. Celler de Can Roca

However El Celler de Can Roca is not the only restaurant in Catalonia with three Michelin stars. Sant Pau in Sant Pol de Mar also holds this distinction. Sant Pau

With two Michelin Stars we have Les Cols in Olot Les Cols and Can Fabes in Sant Celoni Can Fabes

Then we have a great selection of restaurants with one Michelin star in the Girona province:

Restaurant Massana Girona

Beautiful dish from Massana, Girona

Massana also in Girona Massana

L’Aliança d’Anglès in Anglès L’Alianca

Ca l’Arpa in Banyoles Ca L’Arpa

Bo-Tic in Corçà, close to La Bisbal Bo Tic

Els Tinars in Llagostera Els Tinars 

Les Magnolies in Arbucies Les Magnolies

Casamar in Llafranc Casamar Llafranc

Ca l’Enric in La Vall de Bianya Cal Enric

Els Brancs in Roses Els Brancs

Can Jubany in Calldetenes Can Jubany

Where to stay in Catalonia

At Charming Villas Catalonia we take pride in helping our clients make the most of their stay in the region. We can help reserve tables at Michelin star restaurants in Catalonia for our clients as well as helping with many other activities and extra services.

Girona Barcelona high speed train timetable

Posted on by
2

Travel between Girona and Barcelona is now much easier and quicker thanks to the new AVE high speed train line. Opened in early 2013, the travelling time between Figueres and Barcelona is around 52 minutes. Between Girona and Barcelona around 35 minutes. The cost of a return ticket is around 25€ from Girona and around 32€ from Figueres. Here is the timetable of high speed trains between Figueres to Barcelona and Girona to Barcelona.

The timetable of the high speed train between Barcelona and Girona and Figueres

RENFE Barcelona Girona high speed train timetable

The high speed AVE train line connects Barcelona and France. Before reaching Barcelona the train stops first at Figueres then Girona. Here is a link to the RENFE Girona Barcelona high speed timetable

Barcelona to the Costa Brava by train

The high speed AVE train only stops at Girona and Figueres and does not have any stops on the Costa Brava. There’s other, slower train options which get you closer to the Costa Brava coast. These are known as the Rodalies and are as follows:

The line R1 departs from Barcelona Sants station and arrives at Blanes on the southern tip of the Costa Brava.

The line R11 departs from Barcelona Sants and stops at Llanca, Colera and Portbou at the northern tip of the Costa Brava.

Train to Begur

The nearest train station to Begur and Tamariu is Girona. To reach the coastal area around Begur and Tamariu by public transport the only option is by bus. Read more in our blog post Public transport on the Costa Brava

Luxury villas on the Costa Brava

At Charming villas Catalonia we have a good selection of luxury Costa Brava villas to choose from. We are locally based and offer a free concierge service to all of our clients. We can help plan your activities and give you suggestions of day trips.

Costa Brava Hot Air Balloon

Posted on by
Reply

Soaring over extinct volcanoes

Everyone should go up in a hot air balloon at least once in their lifetime. Let us at Charming Villas Catalonia help you plan your Costa Brava hot air balloon trip.

The Catalan Pyrenees
The snow capped Pyrenees

If you are looking for unique activities while in the Costa Brava there can be few better than taking a Hot Air Balloon ride. There’s various balloon companies to choose from in the Girona province. For us, flying over the extinct volcanic region Garrotxa sounded exciting. The interesting mix of volcanoes, oak forest and medieval villages plus the stunning snow capped Pyrenees in the distance was a winner for us.

Extinct volcanoes
The extinct volcanoes Croscat and Santa Margarita in the Garrotxa region.

Costa Brava hot air balloon companies

We flew with Vol de Coloms who have great modern installations between Olot and Santa Pau. Another local company who fly over the Emporda region, closer to the Costa Brava are Globus Emporda.

It is early morning and there’s a sweet feeling of anticipation as the balloons are being prepared. Adrenaline starts to surge once you are asked to get into the basket. You lift silently up into the clouds and are quickly welcomed by some spectacular bird’s eye views of the surrounding landscape.

Mas de la Roureda
Mas de La Roureda, one of Charming Villas properties

Typically a flight lasts for 1.5 hours and although the wind can never be guaranteed, a common landing zone is around the picturesque medieval village of Besalu. Whilst airborne everybody is offered a glass of Cava and a type of local biscuit. With so many interesting things to look at this was an experience never to forget.

Upon returning to the installations close to Santa Pau everyone is treated to a typical Catalan breakfast of Pa amb tomaquet, cheeses, cured meats and wine. If you only take one Hot Air Balloon ride in your life make it over the Garrotxa region with Vol de Coloms.

Planning a hot air balloon excursion

At Charming Villas Catalonia we are based locally and offer a free concierge service to all our clients. We know the area very well and take great pleasure in sharing our favorite places with our clients. Apart from hot air balloon trips we can help plan a whole host of other local activities. We can help plan day trip itineraries and give you suggestions of some off the beaten track restaurants. Lunch on a pier with fishermen? No problem, we can arrange that!

Luxury vacation homes Girona

Browse our selection of upmarket and hand picked vacation homes on the Costa Brava and Girona. Let us help you with the villa selection process – we know all our homes intimately.

The Resclosa d’Orfes

Posted on by
Reply

Where is the Resclosa d’Orfes?

Orfes is a sleepy little village. Situated roughly in the middle between Figueres, Girona and Banyoles and surrounded by forest and arable pasture land.

Orfes
The resclosa near Orfes

In ten minutes you will have seen all the village has to offer. but there is a pleasant little walk from the village to the “resclosa” or ford which crosses the nearby river Fluvia.

In the map below take the track indicated by the red line and you will arrive at the ford. You can either take your shoes and socks off and walk across and return on the track indicated by the purple line or return by the same way you came.

Orfes
Walking route to the ford

If you have built up a good appetite, the one and only restaurant in Orfes, La Barretina d’Orfes is a great choice for lunch. They have a great selection of duck dishes and don’t miss their onion cake starter!

Plaça Major, 28 Orfes

972 560 280

Closed Thursdays and Sunday evenings.

Read Travel Blogger Sherry Ott’s account of La Barretina here.

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Locally based we offer a free concierge service to all of our clients. Our goal is to make sure that our clients make the most out of their time while in Catalonia. We can help plan fun day-trips to the Costa Brava and all kinds of activities and extra services. From tables at the number one restaurant in Spain, El Celler de Can Roca to dining on a pier with fishermen. Let us know how we can help plan the perfect vacation and we will do the rest.

Banyoles lake and market

Posted on by
Reply

The lake of Banyoles

Banyoles, a medium sized town close to Girona is famed for its lake. Scene of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic rowing events the lake serves as the central hub and focus of the town.

A view of Banyoles lake along a jetty
A view of Banyoles lake just after sunrise

With the increased popularity of triathlons, Banyoles is also becoming one of the main locations for triathlon training in Europe. The triathlon world cup is being held here in 2012. The town is also a popular training location for rowing teams from around Europe.

The Banyoles lake and market

However one does not need to be an Olympic rower or triathlete to enjoy the charms of the lake. At around 2 kms long and with a perimeter of just over  7 kms the lake makes for the perfect mid morning or afternoon stroll. It is also possible to hire canoes and bikes.

Banyoles lake
Sunrise over Banyoles lake

If you are planning a day trip to Banyoles a good idea would be to do this on a Wednesday when the weekly market is spread out between “Placa Major” and the large “Placa de Rodes” which is close to the lake. The market mainly consists of fruit and vegetables, cured meats and cheeses with many of the stalls offering local and organic products. The market starts early at around 08.00am and starts closing up around 13.00

Banyoles

Some recommended restaurants in Banyoles include;

Famed for its seafood Gils Banyoles restaurant is a popular lunchtime destination for locals. Located close to the lake.

La Magrana (The Pomegranate) is a small family run restaurant in the old quarter of the town offering a modern twist on traditional Catalan dishes using fresh seasonal produce.

Can Xabanet is another family ran restaurant located just between Placa de Rodes and the lake. Traditional flavorsome dishes in a friendly atmospheric setting.

Charming Villas Catalonia

At Charming villas Catalonia we offer our clients a varied selection of high standard Barcelona vacation rentals. From Barcelona beachfront apartments to large farmhouses close to Barcelona.

Locally based we offer a free concierge service to all of our clients. Our goal is to make sure that our clients make the most out of their time while in Catalonia. We can help plan fun day-trips to the Costa Brava and all kinds of activities and extra services. From tables at the number one restaurant in Spain, El Celler de Can Roca to dining on a pier with fishermen. Let us know how we can help plan the perfect vacation and we will do the rest.